Friday, December 31, 2010

Having healthy boundaries is a vital part of emotional intelligence. We all have the need to know where we leave off and another person begins. If we don’t create boundaries we are susceptible to the manipulation of others. We are more prone to allow others to use or abuse us.

Physical Boundaries

• It is our responsibility to create boundaries and then to enforce them. Our boundary might be physical:

• You cannot touch me.

• Do not go through my things.

• What is on my cell phone is my business.

Emotional Boundaries

• You boundary may be emotional.

• I have a right to keep certain thoughts or feelings to myself.

• You cannot dump your negativity on me.

• I will say no if I need to.

It is when we create a personal boundary and then allow others to cross it that we become angry – usually angry at ourselves. Why do we do this? Many reasons. We want to appear “nice” or we might be afraid of the other person. Maybe we have low self-esteem and don’t feel worthy of having boundaries. Perhaps we have never been taught that we have a right to our thoughts and feelings and behaviors regardless of what others want or need.Those with no boundaries tend to “people please”. They do what others want and betray their own needs. They lose self-respect and become angry at themselves (but usually are not aware of this).

The people in our lives are simply behaving in a manner in which they can get their needs met. Our response is our choice and only becomes a problem when we put the needs of others first. It is responsible and healthy to honor our own needs. There are those who will try to manipulate us by calling us “selfish” or using the ubiquitous phrases “But I thought you loved me” or “If you were a good friend, you would…..”.

We must stay strong and act in our best interest in spite of the needs of others. It isn’t easy being honest sometimes, but is always healthy to enforce our boundaries and not allow others to weaken our resolve. Healthy boundaries are a hallmark of emotional intelligence. Anger Management Classes help clients learn how to set healthy boundaries and how to sustain them.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Daybreak Counseling Service has been providing anger management classes in Los Angeles County for the past 8 years. Now the company is nationally known due to a variety of television appearances by it CEO, anger management expert Shannon Munford.

The Century Anger Management Curriculum utilizes the 8 Tools of Anger Management to teach clients evidence based stratergies to manage anger.

The Century Anger Management curriculum "Anger Management in the Twenty First Century" has been updated and revised for 2011

The Corrections Standards Authority (California State Board of Corrections) will be renewing Century Anger Management for the 6th straight year as a Corrections provider for the state of California.Several public schools have adopted the Century Anger Management curriculum for use with their students, including Turlock Unified School District in California, the Berlin School District in Wisconsin, and the Owasso Public schools in Oklahoma.

Daybreak Counseling Service continues to be a favorite anger management class referral for the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services as well as Public Defenders and Criminal Defense Attorneys through out Orange County and Los Angeles County.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

I wanted to take the time to let you know I am thankful for the services you provide at Daybreak Counseling Service. Your knowledge, compassion and commitment have made it possible for us to meet the needs of over 500 registered clients this year. As you know, when we are able to help one person manage his or her anger, we are changing the lives of everyone who comes in contact with that person. If we could look beyond the veil of “what ifs” and “could haves”, I think we would see that our efforts have prevented countless broken relationships, child abuse cases and possibly even death.

Your creativity and personality have kept clients coming back week after week. This is a remarkable accomplishment considering the economic times we live in.

I appreciate your patience in working with me, an imperfect CEO. Daybreak has experienced significant changes throughout 2010 and I value your flexibility during this time of necessary growth and expansion.

After nine years of business, Daybreak has contracted the services of its first General Manager. Elson Mills has been instrumental in launching our web-based data system, establishing debit/credit machines in Gardena and Pasadena offices and initiating a more efficient monetary tracking system. More changes are still to come for Daybreak and he will be taking the lead in the expansion efforts. There will be more information to come during the first quarter of 2011.

I have also welcomed Dee, who is a recent addition to our administrative team. As Administrator, she has many years of experience and has been instrumental in the area of creating and sending progress reports and handling office supply inventory.

As we close 2010, Daybreak has had quite successful year: (1) adding classes in the Santa Monica and Gardena offices; (2) establishing the first Orange County office in the city of Yorba Linda; (3) as CEO, having the opportunity to share my thoughts on anger management on MSNBC’s Dylan Ratigan Show and E! Entertainment Network News. I am also looking forward to other consulting opportunities for news, talk and reality programs in the near future.

It is my hope that you find your work as rewarding as I do. I welcome your feedback, ideas and suggestions and look forward to a prosperous and fulfilling 2011.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

There are many situations in which we can find ourselves conflicted over how to behave. This is especially true when a person, place or thing has made us angry.” Responding” instead of “Reacting” is always in our own best interest. Our choice of behavior is often dictated by the specific situation or environment we are in.

As our many clients learn, we always chose our actions. Many claim their behavior is the result of another person’s words or actions. They blame others. “If he hadn’t yelled at me, I wouldn’t have thrown his cell phone”. “If you were married to my wife, you’d drink too”. Blaming others is irresponsible and it prevents change and growth. We give our personal power away when we claim that another person is responsible for our words and actions.

We have the freedom and power to decide how we will respond in any situation. Regardless of how unfairly or badly we think we are being treated, it is our “choice” how we respond.

Responding in the right way at the right time with the right person in the right situation takes “emotional intelligence”, a topic largely discussed in Anger Management Classes. It is the ability to perceive, control and evaluate emotions.

Our behavior choices differ according to the setting we find ourselves in. Exploding with anger at our boss is definitely not in our best interest. Neither is being so stressed out that we verbally abuse our children. Our personal relationships call for different behavior than our public or professional life.

This is why having emotional intelligence is so important. In each area of our lives, we need to know what we are feeling and then be able to control our feelings. Like the many stories we hear in our classes, an angry outburst or an instant “reaction” can cost a relationship, a job, your freedom or even a life.

For most people these are costs that are too high to pay. Fortunately, we can learn new ways of thinking and processing our emotions so that we don’t allow our anger to hurt ourselves or others – and this is always in our own best interest.

Daybreak clients are grateful when they recognize the past consequences of their anger and are able to change. They report better relationships, more self esteem and less problems in all areas of their lives.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Daybreak Counseling Service is a nationally recognized institution for anger management education. For almost a decade Daybreak has provided anger management classes and information for thousands of indviduals struggling with stress and rage. Daybreak Instructors have had opportunities to provide anger management counseling for businesses, families and on national television.

We are currently accepting resumes for anger management interns and volunteers. If you are an undergraduate student with an interest in Psychology, Education, Social Work or Family Therapy this is the perfect internship for you.

Interns will learn the 8 tools to anger management, how to market an anger management practice and vital group facilitation skills. We are now accepting resumes for the following offices: Santa Monica, Gardena, Van Nuys, Pasadena and Yorba Linda.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Many perspective anger management students are somewhat apprehensive before attending their first anger management class. They imagine biker chicks and gang members as theychain smoke in a dark room. Well in truth an anger management class is just not that dramatic. This post is written to inform you what let you know what to expect when you take your first anger management class.

Expect people just like you

Anger management classes are full of people just like you. They are mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. Anger management teachers have an opportunity to work with business owners, executives, construction workers, students, law enforcement and many more. You see the thing about anger is everybody has it and everyone can benefit from learning how to manage it. Most of our classes are representative of the community it is held in.

Enrollment and Payment

When you first enter your anger management course you will most likely meet with the instructor or receptionist. Expect to fill out a brief intake form which asks for your name, address, telephone number, court information ( if applicable) and the reason you are taking the class. The majority of the information is needed in case you need the anger management company to provide a progress or completion report for the referring source. Your anger management agency may also need to contact to inform you of class cancellations etc. You may also be asked to sign in when you arrive. This helps the instructor keep track of the number of sessions you have completed.

Most agencies require you make a class payment prior to the start of class. Anger management counseling may cost any where between $20- $50 a session. There is usually a one time registration fee also. The registration fee can range from $45 to $150.

Setting

Anger management classes can be help in public school class rooms, college auditoriums, churches, community rooms, therapy offices, or even outdoors around a camp fire. The trick is to find somewhere were you feel comfortable.

Most anger management therapy sessions are in the evenings and on weekends to accommodate working students.

Anger Management Teachers

At the time this article is being written there are no specific standard on who can teach an anger management class. There is no governing board that monitors anger management instructors. Some instructors may have a PhD in counseling or education where others may not have a high school diploma. You will find clergy, nurses, or local fitness trainer getting into anger management education but the best instructors have some experience and education in the mental health field.

Curriculum

There are thousand of workbooks, self-help article, blogs and manifestos on the subject of anger management. There is no standard curriculum presented in anger management classes through out the nation. When evaluating an anger management workbook, the best rule of thumb is to determine the education and experience of the author.

Some anger management classes are open to client interaction and deep discussion while others are more instructional. The best classes are the ones that combine the two.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Shannon Munford the owner of Dayrbeak Counseling Service was contacted by E! Entertainment News to speak on why Celebrity women take abuse for the men in their lives. He was interviewed by Ken Baker, E News correspondent about the likes of Halle Berry, Oksana, Kourtney Kardashian, and Rhianna. Mr. Munford explains that despite their beauty and fame many women don't feel worthy of a loving relationship. He states that many celebrities feel the need to hide the fact that they are in pain in an effort to protect their public persona.

The follwoing week Shannon Munford was called upon to interview with Dylan Ratigan of MSNBC to talk about America's growing rage problem. He was questioned about the Jet Blue Flight attendant who ostentatiously quit his job after a dispute with a passanger. It was noted that flight attendant has attracted a huge fan base. Such bold actions as cursing out your boss and quitting your job can cause frustrated working Americans to applaud in support, but in this ecconomy most people will not duplicate such behavior.

Shannon Munford speaks frequently on anger management as well as operating a national anger management education center. Anger Management Courses are offered daily in his comapny through out the country. He has also appeared on such reality show as Keeping up with the Kardashians and MTV Real World Hollywood.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Shannon Munford, the owner of Daybreak Counseling Service has thrown his hat in the ring to be Oprah's Next Television Star. Oprah and reality TV super producer Mark Burnett (SurvivorTM & The ApprenticeTM) are joining forces in search of the next big TV star.

Shannon is an anger management expert. For the last 10 years he has worked with Celebrities and CEO's to help them manage anger and aggression. Shannon is the Chief Executive Officer at Daybreak Counseling Service. He owns and operates four Los Angeles based offices that provide anger management education to families, individuals and groups.

Shannon has made television appearances on Keeping up with the Kardashian in which he worked with Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian. Shannon also appeared on MTV Real World Hollywood in which he staged an anger management intervention. Some of his off camera work was with Bad Girl Club Season 3 and My Network TV Decision House.

To vote for Shannon visit the link below and vote as often as you like.

Monday, March 29, 2010

How're you doing? I am excited to tell you that I am conducting an Online Survey on "Help-Seeking Behaviors of Adult Men in Partner Abuse" for my Dissertation Research (see email with the link below). Since this population is hard to reach, I would like to request your assistance to distribute it widely to those who may be interested in this study. Thanks!

This is a nationwide survey using snowball sampling. Please help forward this email to service providers (working in the field of domestic violence or family relations) , your friends, and male victims/survivors to reach the participants. Target Participants are male victims/survivors of partner abuse, aged 18 or above and living in the U.S.

Greatly appreciate for your help and THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!

Have a nice weekend!

Venus Tsui

Doctoral Candidate

Graduate College of Social Work

University of Houston

(832-755-0933)

____________________________________________

Dear Participant,

The Research Team at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work is conducting a survey on “Help-Seeking Behaviors of Adult Men in Partner Abuse”. You are being invited to be one of approximately 250 participants to participate in this survey. We would like to invite you (as participant) to complete the anonymous questionnaire via this link:

A paper survey will also be available if you have no access to a computer by indicating “paper survey” with a returned address by mail or email to Venus Tsui (see address below).

If you are a service provider working with a focus on intimate partner abuse or family relations, you are welcome to invite men who were or have been abused by their partner to participate in the survey by forwarding this email or cover letter to them. This study is IMPORTANT! We would appreciate it very much if you would post the FLYER [please click http://www.sw.uh.edu/documents/cwep/Volunteers%20Needed%20Poster.pdf] in your office and organization’s waiting area? In addition, an electronic copy of the Survey is available for your distribution upon request (see contact information below). Finally, a Resource Guide for Men in Partner Abuse is provided for your reference (please click http://www.sw.uh.edu/documents/cwep/Useful%20Resources%20for%20Adult%20Men%20in%20Partner%20Abuse.pdf and feel free to print out and use).

Please note that a cover letter is included in the survey to explain the purpose and procedures of this study. Your participation and/or assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your participation!

Monit Cheung, PhD, LCSW, Professor, & Venus Tsui, Doctoral Candidate Graduate College of Social Work University of Houston 110HA Social Work Building Houston, TX 77204-4013, USA

For any questions regarding this survey or for obtaining a paper survey, please contact the Principal Investigator, Dr. Monit Cheung, or Co-Principal Investigator, Ms. Venus Tsui, at the Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, at 713-743-8107, 713-743-8115 or 832-755-0933 or email at venustsf@yahoo.com.

Friday, March 12, 2010

The Change of Course adolescent and young adult for parents and educators training is an evidence based training designed to teach parents and educators effective techniques that influence delinquent behavior in youth and young adults. Shannon Munford the owner of Daybreak Counseling Service has organized this training in effort to teach parents, teachers, school counselors, correction officers, gang interventionist, and clergy proven strategies that help navigate young people toward pro-social behavior. Shannon Munford is a nationally recognized anger management expert. His work has been featured on national television programs including MTV Real World Hollywood, Keeping up with the Kardashians and locally, California State Dominguez Hills University Educational Television. Mr. Munford has over a decade of experience working with behavior challenged youth with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services and the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

The first day of training focuses on learning a communication style that is directive and designed to illicit change in young people. Day one also includes an introduction to 8 part curriculum formulated to reduce ambivalence to change and motivate delinquent teens and young adults to make better decisions.

On day two and three of the training a tripartite cognitive behavior model will be examined. An overview of this model will introduce participants to the following techniques:

• A way of directing delinquent teens and young adults to examine their own moral compasses. This technique is designed to increase empathy for others as well as develop reasoning skills for troubled youth.

• A systematic view of anger and violence. This model explores the origins of anger and gives concrete ways in which young people can reduce verbal aggression as well as physical.

• An examination of social skill social deficits. This module introduces participants to a method of teaching basic social skills to their children, students or clients. Many young people continue to display problem behavior in school or at home because they lack basic skills such as “How to apologize” How to express feelings”, or “How to make a complaint” etc.